Step or bracket device

ABSTRACT

A bracket device for attachment to a thin walled section includes a main member having an operating member, and an attachment hook extending from a proximal end of the operating member which in use engages with the thin walled section, and a locking wedge associated with the attachment hook which slides in relation to the attachment hook to a locking position to create a reaction force between the attachment hook and the thin walled section.

This is a nationalization of PCT/NZ00/00068 filed May 5, 2000 andpublished in English.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an easily installed removeable bracket deviceincorporating for example an operating member such as a step or asuspension bracket for attachment to a steel utility pole, a concreteutility pole incorporating a thin wall section for bracket attachment,or other thin wall section structures.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventional utility poles are manufactured using one of two alternativeconstructions. Historically they have been either hard or soft woodpoles, but with modern manufacturing techniques thin wall steel polesare also becoming more common. The majority of such poles are employedin either telecommunications or electrical power transmission.

In order to fix faults or to assess the condition of attachments at thetop of the pole, it is often necessary for servicemen to scale the poleand work near the top. In the case of a steel pole this can beaccomplished in one of two ways: either by use of a ladder, or by use ofsteps integrated with the pole itself. The disadvantage to using laddersis that they can be unstable and sometimes not long enough. Thereforethe risk of falling from the pole is higher. With wooden poles the useof ladders or the provision of steps is not necessary, because theservicemen are generally able to scale the pole using clamp-ons and asafety strap.

Increasingly suppliers are requesting that steel pole manufacturerssupply their poles with steps already attached, in order to avoid theproblems associated with ladders. From the manufacturers perspectivethis poses a difficulty, due to the additional cost associated withintegrating steps with the pole. Typically this may add up to 20% ormore to the production cost of a 40 foot distribution pole, thus puttingthe steel pole manufacturers at a distinct disadvantage to their woodpole counterparts.

The alternatives for attaching pole steps range from a nut welded to theside of the pole, to a complicated four piece arrangement, shown in FIG.1, involving a shaped washer 1, a shaped bolt 2, a welded or riveted nut3 and a pressed steel step 4. These arrangements are hardly ideal, theyare often very unstable, and in some cases are quite unsafe to work on.Also as previously mentioned, a part, that is the nut 3 part, needs tobe attached to each pole when manufactured, adding additional costs, andthereby reducing profit margins.

Moreover, there is also a need for bracket devices incorporating anoperating member such as, a suspension bracket which is used for examplefor suspending fiber optic cables, or some other type of line hardwarefitting, which can be easily installed and removed from steel utilitypoles, concrete utility poles incorporating a thin wall section forbracket attachment, or other thin wall section structures.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide an easily installedremoveable bracket device incorporating an operating member such as astep or suspension bracket that overcomes the abovementioneddisadvantages.

In one aspect, the present invention may be broadly said to consist in abracket device for attachment to a thin walled section which comprises:a main member having an operating member, and an attachment deviceextending from a proximal end of the operating member which in useengages with the thin walled section, and a locking device associatedwith the attachment device which slides in relation to the attachmentdevice to a locking position to create a reaction force between theattachment device and the thin walled section.

The locking device may comprise any suitable device whereby a reactionforce can be created between the attachment device and the thin walledsection. For example this may comprise a cam device which is operated bya lever to actuate a cam to provided the reaction force.

Preferably the main member has a flange portion with the attachmentdevice extending therefrom, and the locking device is a wedge memberwhich is adapted in use to abut against a face of the flange portion.

Preferably the attachment device is terminated with a hook which in useengages within an aperture provided in a wall of the thin walledsection.

Preferably an extremity of the hook is adapted to abut an inner wall ofthe thin walled section, and the wedge member is adapted when in thelocking position to abut against an outer wall of the thin walledsection to thereby create a compressive force between the hook and thewedge member to hold the operating member in place.

Preferably a slot is provided in the wedge member which in usesubstantially straddles the attachment device.

Preferably the slot is in the form of an enclosed slot.

Preferably an innermost face of the wedge member is substantially “V”shaped.

Alternatively an innermost face of the wedge member is substantiallycylindrically concaved.

In a further alternative an innermost face of the wedge member issubstantially flat.

Preferably the wedge member includes a channel adapted to encompass theflange portion of the main member.

More preferably the wedge member is substantially symmetrical with thechannel formed concave matching the opposite side, and the abutting faceof the flange portion of the main member is formed as a complementaryconvex face.

Alternatively the proximal end of the operating member includes a lowerportion which in use locks into the slot to create a reaction forceagainst any rotational torque on the operating member.

Preferably the operating member and the attachment device areconstructed of forged steel.

Alternatively the operating member and the attachment device areconstructed of forged aluminum.

Depending on requirements the operating member and the attachment devicemay be constructed of cast iron or steel or aluminum.

In a second aspect the present invention may be broadly said to consistin a method of providing a bracket device for a thin wall sectioncomprising the steps:

-   -   a) forming an apparatus in the wall of the thin wall section at        a position corresponding to a desired location of a bracket        device, and    -   b) forming a main member having an operating member and an        attachment device extending from a proximal end of the operating        member which in use engages within the aperture and which        includes a locking device associated with the attachment device        which slides in relation to the attachment device to a locking        position to in use secure the attachment device within the        aperture.

With the present invention as described above, the bracket device can beeasily installed and removed from a thin wall section in which asuitable aperture has been formed. Moreover, the locking device ensuresthat this is stably secured in place.

The thin wall section may be part of any structure to which it isdesired to removably attach a bracket device.

For example this may be part of a steel utility pole, or a thin wallsection incorporated into a concrete utility pole. In this case theoperating member may be in the form of a step for supporting a foot of aperson wishing to climb the utility pole. Alternatively the operatingmember may be in the form of a suspension bracket for suspendinghardware from the utility pole.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts,elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification ofthe application, individually or collectively, and any or allcombinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, andwhere specific integers are mentioned herein which have knownequivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such knownequivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually setforth.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructionsof which the following gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from theensuing description which is given by way of example only and withreference to the accompanying drawings in which;

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a prior art step;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a steel utility pole with pole stepsattached;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view showing a pole step of FIG. 2 attached to thesteel utility pole with a wedge member fitted in place;

FIG. 4 a is a plan view of the wedge member;

FIG. 4 b is a side view of the wedge member;

FIG. 4 c is a frontal view of the wedge member viewed from the poleside;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative wedge member;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of another alternative wedge member;

FIG. 6 a is a plan view of the wedge member in a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 b is a frontal view of the wedge member in the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a step of the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a step of a third embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is perspective views showing attachment devices according to thepresent invention having various operating members.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention is principally described in the preferred embodiments is apole step for attachment to a steel utility pole which is able to beeasily attached to and removed from the pole as and when required. Thestep is locked in place once attached, using a wedge member to ensurethat it provides a secure and firm platform from which servicemen canwork. The wedge member may be adapted to fit any shape of utility pole,and be repeatably attached and removed by servicemen each time they needto scale a pole.

A typical steel utility pole 1, shown in FIG. 2, is used by utilities tocarry their wires 2. Steps 3 are spaced at even intervals to allow theservicemen (not shown) to scale the pole 1 to a point where theservicemen can work on attachments 4 at the top of the pole 5. Steps arenot provided on the lower section of the pole so as to stop passers-byfrom being able to scale the pole 1. The servicemen will scale a firststep 6 using a ladder (not shown) or some other climbing means.

The pole step 3, as shown in more detail in FIG. 3, is designed to beremovably attached to the pole 1. The step 3 is comprised of a mainmember generally indicated by arrow 5 having a tapered support surface10 (operating member) for the servicemen to stand on while climbing thepole 1 or while working on the attachment 4. Integral with the supportsurface 10 is a hook 11 (attachment device) which is leverably insertedinto a hole 12 in the exterior of the pole 1 and which provides anopposing force to hold the step 3 in place. The support surface 10 isterminated at its distal end with a lip 13 to prevent the footwear ofthe serviceman from slipping off the edge of the support surface 10. Themain member 5 including the support surface 10 and the integral hook 11may be constructed either from cast aluminum, cast SG iron, forged steelor any other robust material.

A wedge member 20 is designed such that once the hook 11 has beeninserted into the interior of the pole 1, the wedge member 20 can beinserted between the exterior 21 of the pole 1 and a flange portion 22of the main member 5. Once inserted the wedge member 20 will lock themain member 5 in place providing firm vertical and horizontal supportsuch that any servicemen will be assured a safe working platform.

The wedge member 20, shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 a, 4 b and 4 c istapered on two sides 30, 31 and on one face 32. Looking towards thepole, shown in FIG. 4 c, the wedge member 20 sides 30 and 31 aretapered, being widest at a lowermost portion 33 and narrowest at anuppermost portion 34. This can be seen in more detail in FIG. 4 a.Looking now from the side shown in FIG. 4 b (parallel to the side of theface of the pole 1), the outermost faces 32 and 35 of the wedge member20 are tapered, being widest at the uppermost portion 34 and narrowestat the lowermost portion 33.

Preferably the taper angle between the outermost faces 32 and 35 of thewedge member 20 is such as to give a wedge angle of from 3.5 to 5degrees. This is to ensure self locking of the wedge member 20 when,after the hook 11 is inserted into the hole 12, the wedge member 20 isdropped and firmly seated in place from above. Moreover, the contactfaces 32 and 35 of the wedge member 20 and/or the contact face of theflange portion 22 may be formed with a roughened or serrated surface toenhance securement.

Furthermore, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 4 c, at the lowermostportion 33, a bridge portion 36 may be formed either integrally orattached, thus closing off a slot 51 (described later) to give anenclosed slot. Having such a bridge portion 36 has the advantage thatthe main member 4 and the wedge member 20 combination can be installedusing only one hand. In this case, the hook 11 is first inserted throughthe central opening (slot 51) of the wedge member 20 to suspend thewedge member 20, and is then inserted into the hole 12. The wedge member20 can then be swung upwards through 180 degrees into position anddropped into place, and then tapped in tightly.

Looking now from above, seen in FIG. 4 a, the innermost face 40 of thewedge member 20 is substantially cylindrically concaved, with small flatsections 41 (shown dotted in FIGS. 4 a and 4 c) on either side. Thecylindrically concaved innermost face 40 is designed to adapt tocircular poles, with the flat sections 41 provided for where the wedgemember 20 faces a flat surface, for example larger poles with hexagonalor dodecanol faces. The innermost face 40 is tapered to match thetypical shape of a conventional steel utility pole. For more reliablesecurement on larger poles with wide faces, an alternative wedge member,as shown in FIG. 5, can be used with a completely flat innermost face50.

To accommodate the shaft of the hook 11, the slot 51 is provided in thebody of the wedge member 20. A channel 52 (also shown in dotted outlinein FIG. 4 c) is formed in the outermost face of the wedge member 20 toaccommodate the flange portion 22 of the step 10, to ensure once inplace, the step 10 cannot rotate out of its correct position. It shouldbe noted that details of the edge of this channel 52 are omitted fromFIG. 3, which effectively shows a section view.

The channel 52 may be formed as shown in FIG. 4 a in a rectangular shapein cross-section in the case where the flange portion 22 of the step 10is of a matching shape.

FIG. 5 a shows an alternative wedge member generally indicated by arrow54. Here the wedge member 54 comprises an outer face 55 (channel) formedas a concave shape (here a concave “V” shape) the same or approximatelythe same shape as an inner face 56, and having an enclosed slot with abridge portion 57. In this case the face of the flange portion 22 of themain member 5, while not shown specifically, is formed as a matchingconvex surface (a convex “V” shape). With such an arrangement the wedgemember 54 can be made symmetrical with the inner face 56 stilladequately matching the typical shape of a conventional steel utilitypole. Moreover, the engagement of the matching faces of the convexsurface of the flange portion 22 and the concave surface of the outerface 55 ensures that once in place, the step 10 cannot rotate out of itscorrect position.

The wedge member 20 may be manufactured using SG iron, forged steel,injection molded plastic, aluminum or alternatively using rubber, or anyother suitably robust material.

In a second embodiment, an alternative wedge member 61 is shown in FIG.6 a without tapering sides, and can be constructed using slightly lessmaterial than that described in the preceding embodiment for the wedgemember 20. Looking now from above, an innermost face 60 of the wedgemember 61 is substantially “V” shaped and substantially rectangular inoutline. Looking from the pole side, shown in FIG. 6 b the “V” istapered to substantially match the typical shape of a conventional steelutility pole. The flat sections 62 are widest at the uppermost portion63 and taper to nothing at the lowermost portion 64.

In the second embodiment, the step 70 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with akey portion 71 protruding from a flange portion 72 which is designed tofit into a slot 73 of the wedge member 61. Once locked in place, thisprevents the step 70 from rotating, thus ensuring that the step 70 stayslocked in place.

In a third embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a step 80, a hook 81 and a wedgemember 82 are all movable relative to one another. With this embodimentthe hook 81 is leverably inserted into a hole 83 in a steel utility pole84, with the wedge member 82 in an upper position 85. The hook 81 hasgrooves 86 in both sides which the wedge member 82 engages with. Withthe hook 81 inserted into a hole 83 in the exterior of a pole 84, thewedge member 82 is brought to a lower locked position 87. The movementof the wedge member 82 causes the distal side 88 of the groove toexperience a lateral force, effecting a compressive force on the wall ofthe pole 84 between an end of the hook 89 and a flange portion 90 of thestep 80.

It will be apparent from the description that a step design such as thatdescribed will be equally applicable to any application which requiresan object to be suspended from a thin wall hollow structure. Examplesinclude the suspension of fiber optic cables and many other linehardware fittings.

FIG. 9 is perspective views showing various main members of attachmentdevices according to the present invention having various operatingmembers. In these figures, parts having the same function as describedfor the previous attachment device are denoted by the same referencenumerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 9 a shows a main member 90 having a ring operating member 91.

FIG. 9 b shows main member having 92 having a hook operating member 93.

FIG. 9 c shows main member 94 having a tongue operating member 95.

FIG. 9 d shows main member 96 having a clevis operating member 97.

FIG. 9 e shows main member 98 having a ball eye operating member 99.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of exampleonly and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions maybe made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The bracket device of the present invention provides an easily installedremovable bracket device incorporating an operating member such as astep or suspension bracket, which overcomes problems with conventionalmethods and devices for attaching a bracket to a thin walled section.The bracket device thus offers may possible industrial applications.

1. A step for attachment to a utility pole having a thin wall section,the step comprising: a main member having a step member with a flangeportion formed at a proximal end thereof, a free end at a distal endthereof, and an upwardly facing support surface for a user to stand on,between said free end and said flange portion, and a single attachmentportion integral with said step member extending from a face of saidflange portion and terminated in a hook extending out from the flange,in alignment with said step member, then up, which in use extendsthrough an aperture provided in a wall of said thin walled section, anda wedge member which is adapted to slide in a transverse relation tosaid attachment portion and interpose between said flange and said thinwalled section, and abut against a face of said flange portion when in alocking position, to be driven downward to create a compressive forcebetween said hook and said wedge member with said thin walled sectiontherebetween to hold said step member in place, said wedge membercomprising a body formed with an enclosed slot, and having an inner faceand an outer face inclined relative to each other at an angle of from3.5 to 5 degrees, said inner face and said outer face each being formedwith a concave channel of substantially the same shape in cross sectionalong a full length thereof.
 2. In combination, a utility pole having athin walled hollow section with a plurality of circular aperturesthrough said thin walled hollow section for mounting steps to said pole,and at least one step comprising: a step for attachment to a utilitypole having a thin walled section, the step comprising: a main memberhaving a step member with a flange portion formed at a proximal endthereof, a free end at a distal end thereof, and an upwardly facingsupport surface for a user to stand on, between said free end and saidflange, and a single attachment portion integral with said step memberextending from a face of said flange portion and terminated in a hookextending out from the flange, in alignment with said step member, thenup, and which extends through an aperture provided in a wall of saidthin walled section and up behind said wall, and a wedge member which isadapted to slide in a transverse relation to said attachment portion,interposed between said flange and said thin walled section, andabutting against a face of said flange portion creating a compressiveforce between said hook and said wedge member with said thin walledsection therebetween to hold said step member in place, said wedgemember comprising a main body formed with an enclosed slot, and havingan inner face and an outer face inclined relative to each other at anangle of from 3.5 to 5 degrees, said inner face and said outer face eachbeing formed with a concave channel of substantially the same shape incross section along a full length thereof, said hook passing throughsaid enclosed slot.